Ex-Bishop's Centenary principal remembered as strict disciplinarian

Hannah Demming, former principal of Bishop's Centenary College, Port of Spain, will be remembered as someone with a passion for education who dedicated her life to teaching, encouraging and nurturing young people.

Demming, the mother of four, died at 96 at her Diego Martin home on March 3.

Her son Richard Demming told Newsday on Monday his mother hoped to live to be 100.

“She will be missed. I’m sorry she didn’t make the 100. She was married to a cricketer, and she always said she doesn’t like when the batsman drops out in the 90s. Just one boundary and she would have made it.

“She will be remembered as a strict disciplinarian but very compassionate.”

Demming was a teacher for over 40 years, and had played a vital role in the lives of those she taught. She lived for 20 years in England where she taught English and religious instruction (RI) at Wellfield High School, Leyland, Lancashire and served on a committee to rewrite the syllabus for the Lancashire Education board.

On her return to Trinidad, she went on to teach English and RI at Bishop's Centenary College. She was later promoted to principal in 1982, until she retired in 2001 at 75.

She was the head of the local arm of Soroptimist International – a worldwide volunteer service organisation for women who work for peace and to improve the lives of women and girls in communities.

Over the years, Demming was known to be passionate about the development of girls and women.

She started her teaching career at the Debe Presbyterian Primary School, where she also taught RI and English. Richard noted one of her past students was Zalayhar Hassanali, widow of the second president of TT, Noor Hassanali.

“She went back to school when my father died and did her degree in theology in her 70s, so she was pretty active," he told Newsday.

After retiring,t Demming started a homework centre at the church she attended – Mt Hope Worship Tabernacle, Mt Lambert – which lasted over 15 years.

Bishop's Centenary College alumnae took to social media to express shock at the news of her passing. Many described her as cheerful and god-fearing.

She will be laid to rest on Wednesday at,9 am at Mt Hope Worship Tabernacle, Mt Lambert.